THE Findus National league has expanded with the addition of two clubs and, even at this late stage, may include a third.

The first of the newcomers is Dundee Stars, the fourth Scottish club in the league.

Cardiff Devils have joined from Wales and it is hoped that the famous Sheffield Steelers will be added to the schedule in the next few days.

This would expand the league to 13 teams, providing 48 games.

The Dundee Stars are a new club, playing in the 2,500 seater Dundee Ice Arena. They are led by Tony Hand who comes to them from Super-leaguers Ayr Eagles.

Cardiff Devils have dropped down from the Superleague after big losses through trying to run a largely import-based team in a small ice rink.

It was a similar story with the 'Grand Slam' winners Sheffield Steelers. Although they operated with big crowds at the 8,000 seater Sheffield Arena they could not maintain their expensive lifestyle.

Legal requirements are holding up the final agreement to complete in the BNL but a final decision is expected in the next few days.

The Findus BNL season will open in the first week of September with an Autumn Cup competition to be played in groups similar to last season's Benson & Hedges Cup.

The league schedule will follow on from late September running through to late March with play-offs completing the season thereafter.

Almost 6,000 fans - including many from Coventry - watched the Great Britain Ice Hockey squad in a special game arranged for the end of their training camp.

Played at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham, the GB Blues beat the GB Whites by 7-5 in an entertaining match.

The whites were coached by Coventry Blaze coach Paul Thompson who said afterwards that the squad had had three days of intensive training and he was pleased with their progress, bearing in mind that most of them have been on a three month lay-off.

In the game, Coventry's Kurt Irvine scored and Barry Hollyhead enjoyed a successful 30 minutes in the Blues goal. James Pease was in the whites line-up.

Irvine, who has undergone extensive surgery and physiotherapy over the summer, said: "I'm really glad to have had this chance to be part of the GB set-up.

"My leg stood up well for four days of training and I reckon that I will be ready for the Blaze by the season's start in four weeks."